Dragon LNG Solar Farm
Anesco Ltd, alongside, DRAGON LNG ARE INTENDING TO APPLY FOR PLANNING PERMISSION to develop a 9.99MW solar farm on the land at West Perimeter Road, Dragon LNG Terminal, Milford Haven, SA73 1DR.
This notice provides the opportunity to provide feedback directly to the developer, Anesco Ltd, on the proposed development prior to the submission of a planning application to the local planning authority (“LPA”).
Any subsequent planning application will be publicised by the relevant LPA; any comments provided in response to this notice will not prejudice your ability to make representations to the LPA on any related planning application. You should note that any comments submitted may be placed on the public file.
You can view all draft planning documentation for this proposal by clicking the links below:
1. Planning application and supporting documentation
About this project
The proposal involves the construction and operation of a solar installation that will connect into Dragon LNG Terminal’s electricity network, comprising solar modules, solar inverters and associated works, including landscaping.
The grid connection location and substation location is shown to the northeast of the site layout provided within this documentation. All cabling associated with the grid connection will be underground. The application area will be approximately 40 acres and planning permission will be sought for a period of 40 years.
In response to an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) screening request, Pembrokeshire County Council, adopted a screening opinion on the 29th September 2021 concluding that the proposal is not an EIA development.
Climate change emergency
In June 2019, the UK government became the first major economy in the world to pass laws to end its contribution to global warming by 2050. What this means is that by that date, the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions will be carbon neutral. Creating a better environment now, and for generations to come.
Carbon neutral is about finding a balance between the total greenhouse gas emissions being produced, and the total emissions being removed from the environment. This commitment to becoming carbon neutral is a substantial increase on the UK’s previous target and comes at a time when pressure is building on governments to recognise and take urgent action in light of the climate emergency.
About solar technology
Solar is the most popular renewable technology in the world and is an incredibly clean source of renewable energy. Unlike other renewable technologies, solar panels have no moving parts and therefore operate silently. They are also low in height and can be hidden behind hedgerows or fencing, minimising the visual impact on the landscape.
The Dragon LNG Solar Project
The energy produced from the proposed solar farm at Dragon LNG solar project is equivalent to the amount of energy expected to power approximately 2,895 average UK homes. Furthermore, the project is expected to generate 11,093MWh per annum which is anticipated to save over 2,563 tonnes of CO2 emissions per annum. Projects of this kind also present biodiversity enhancement opportunities. The site is not located within an AONB (Area Outstanding Natural Beauty), National Park or other designated landscape area, and is away from heritage designations and features.
The solar farm would be set back from residential properties, which would limit views of the development within the local area. A full landscape and visual impact assessment has be completed, and it is anticipated that further planting and hedgerow re-enforcement will be put in place. Anesco, and Dragon LNG, have engaged with the local community council and welcome opportunities to engage with local schools to provide tours of the solar farm in future, whilst ensuring use of the new educational building that is being included within this proposal.
Biodiversity Enhancements
The RSPB ‘State of Nature Report’ highlights the severity of the decline in British wildlife. It details that of the 8,431 species that have been assessed using regional Red List criteria, 15% have been classified as threatened with extinction from Great Britain. Climate change is driving widespread changes in the abundance, distribution, and ecology of the UK’s wildlife, and will continue to do so for decades or even centuries to come.
Solar farms present an excellent opportunity for biodiversity. The proposed solar farm will be installed on piles with minimal disturbance to the ground. The solar panels have no moving parts and the infrastructure typically disturbs less than 5% of the ground. The posts upon which the panels are mounted take up less than 1% of the land area. Because panels are raised above the ground on posts, more than 95% of a solar farm field area is still accessible for plant growth and potentially for wildlife enhancements. The proposed solar farm would have a lifespan of 40 years which is sufficient time for appropriate land management to yield real wildlife and biodiversity improvements within the local area.
A site-specific biodiversity plan will be devised to cover the lifetime of the proposed solar farm, working closely with the ecologists, and conservation organisations to ensure that the biodiversity enhancements are most appropriate to the local area.
We are now seeking views from residents on the proposal as laid on this webpage and we encourage feedback using the feedback form below.
ONLINE FEEDBACK FORM
To provide feedback on the Dragon LNG Solar Project please click here.
THANK YOU
Clean green technology
Supports biodiversity
Saving 2,563 tonnes of Co2 per annum
Equivalent to powering 2,895 average UK homes
